Advice for streaming setup only

Thank you for the comment about the music vault business. I believe this is not what I'm looking for as it seems to be focused on enormous hard drives and ripping capability and is 5 times over my budget of $400-$800.
Thanks for taking the time to respond it does look like an interesting product but not what I'm looking for for this streaming service

Maybe I should have skipped all the information and just said that I am looking for a really quiet laptop for streaming in the 400-$800 range

Eljack, while the service may be having start up issues, if you are using WiFi, some of the drop out problems might be related to the speed and signal strength of your wifi router.

If you can, try hard wiring via Ethernet , to see if there is any reduction in drop outs.

I invested in NetGears N900 (their top of the line router a few years ago) and immediately had an improvement in all my wifi streaming services.

Best Buy and Computmart in Walnut Creek, CA sell laptop computers in your price range. Any computer you buy should have plenty of memory. Please see the links below:

http://www.compumart.biz/machines.asp?type=laptops

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?id=pcat17071&type=page&ks=960&st=categoryid%24pcmcat247400050000&sc=Global&cp=1&sp=-bestsellingsort%20skuidsaas&qp=brand_facet%3DBrand~Asus%5Ecurrentprice_facet%3DPrice~%24500%20-%20%24749.99&list=y&usc=All%20Categories&nrp=15&iht=n&browsedCategory=pcmcat247400050000&seeAll=

I agree with Mallen123 above that using Wi-Fi could be causing the drops out. I also suggest you use a wired Ethernet connection for streaming (I do). Please note that I was NOT able to run an Ethernet wire to my computer so I connected my Apple MAC Book Pro Computer (any computer will work okay) to the Internet using an Ethernet over power-line connection (internet over your existing power lines). It has proven to be a very reliable connection. Connection problems are very rare. My video system, dishwasher and other home appliances do NOT interfere when I am using the Ethernet over power connection for my MAC computer.

I am using the Linksys PowerLine Home Plug AV Kit (PLSK400) rated at to 200Mbps (Ethernet over power). The Linksys PowerLine Home Plug AV Kit (PLSK400) lets you pass through the existing power lines in your home or office into a high-speed network. There are many other Ethernet Adapter brands on the market but the PLSK400 was highly recommend by a networking friend of mine.

You mentioned above that you are not a computer expert. I suggest you hire someone to help you configure your computer and connection to the Internet. This person should verify that your existing router can handle your streaming requirements and that your wiring is okay. It might be well worth spending the money to get the right setup. In my case, my previous router was causing my streaming connection problems. I switched to an Apple router but there are other high quality routers on the market for you to look at. You should ask the dealer that you buy your computer from what high quality router they suggest assuming the one you have needs to be replaced (I do not know).

I hope the above helps. Please continue to ask questions to help you through this process.

Thanks - I've hooked up directly to my comcast DSL router and it shows a constant speed of 100 Mbps. With Wifi it varies from 65 to 130 Mbps.
I think either should be plenty for this application but I don't know.

I should point out that this worked perfectly via my iPhone 5, right out of the gate. Setup took about 30 seconds and all my saved music was imported.